‘Baby Harleen’s murder was devastating’: Police chief speaks after mother gets life for killing daughter in West Bromwich
West Midlands Police Detective Chief Inspector has commented on the investigation in the case of baby killer Zara Arsalan following her conviction.
Baby killer, Zara Arsalan, also known as Sharandeep Talwandi, of Floyer Road, Bordesley Green, has been sentenced to serve a minimum of 18 years in prison without parole following the death of two-month-old Harleen Bains in 2020.
Emergency services were called to the scene of Caddick Crescent, West Bromwich, in July, 2020, following reports that a baby girl was unresponsive after falling from her mother's lap.
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When paramedics arrived at the address, however, they found that baby Harleen's breathing was unstable and that she had a serious head injury. Sadly, she died from her injuries the next day.
A post-mortem investigation revealed that Harleen had multiple skull fractures, bleeding to the brain, fractured ribs and a fractured collarbone, injuries that were not consistent with a fall.
A murder investigation was launched, leading to the arrest, charge, and conviction of 31-year-old Zara Arsalan on February 20, 2026.
Now, West Midlands Police Detective Chief Inspector Phil Poole has talked of the investigation in detail following the end of what he calls a 'significant' and 'devastating' case.
Mr Poole said: "The sentencing today is very significant, primarily due to the very horrible and sad way in which Harleen sadly died.
"The death of a child has a massive ripple effect on both the family of the child and the wider community. We hope that this conviction has brought justice to Harleen."
When faced with the charges, Arsalan entered a plea of not guilty, claiming instead that Harleen had simply 'fallen' from her lap after she [Zara] was punched by her ex-partner and Harleen's father, Jatinder Bains.
However, despite being monitored by social services, DCI Poole said that there was 'no learning' to take away regarding the early care for Harleen Bains, and commended the jury for 'seeing through' Arsalan's defence.
He said: "Any previous social services involvement in the case was robustly examined, and it's my understanding that there is no specific learning to take away regarding the early care of Harleen.
"A suspect can say what they want to say, but the medical evidence speaks volumes. We secured this evidence at the earliest opportunity, and that was instrumental in securing this conviction.
"The jury has heard some significant and detailed evidence around the injuries and the accounts that the mother provided, and thankfully, they saw through her account and returned that guilty verdict."
DCI Poole said that Harleen's family have been continuously supported through the trial, and that while incidents involving the death of a baby are rare, he hopes it has brought justice to Harleen and her family.
He added: "Incidents like this are rare, but we have a high level of expertise in working alongside our partners when it comes to bringing these people to justice.
"The sentencing today should serve as a reminder to people of the serious nature of this offence, and a reminder that we will continue to work with our partners to protect the vulnerable people of the West Midlands."